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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 8, 2011

July 8, 2011 at 5:16 pm

Friday, July 8, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

In the New York/New Jersey Area This Weekend?

Catch my traffic reports on 1010 WINS in New York City, New Jersey 101.5 (WKXW), Magic 100.1 (WJRZ) on the Jersey Shore and WRCN at 103.9 on Long Island.  I’ll be on from 7:30 am until 3 pm Saturday and from 7 pm until midnight on Sunday.  Even if you’re not in the area, just click the links above and listen online.  Let me know where your listening from and we’ll see who’s the most distant listener.  The reports on 1010 WINS air every 10 minutes on the 1s and on New Jersey 101.5 every 15 minutes at :03, :18, :33 and :48.

AVIATION

1) NextGen Air Transportation System: Mechanisms for Collaboration and Technology Transfer Could Be Enhanced to More Fully Leverage Partner Agency and Industry Resources

Link to report from the US Government Accountability Office:

http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-604

GPS / NAVIGATION

2) South Africa Gets Traffic-Savvy Satnav

Link to IOL News article:

http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/industry-news/sa-gets-traffic-savvy-satnav-1.1095538

MARITIME

3) First Responders Get Maritime Training at Port of Los Angeles’ New Center

Link to article in the Daily Breeze:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_18435575

OTHER

4) Playback of Public Transit ITS Implementations – Lessons Learned Webinar (June 2, 2011)

Link to playback from the Research and Innovative Technology Administration:

http://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/t3/s110602/s110602_itstransit_intro.asp

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

5) West Virginia DOT Debuts Radio Program

Link to article in the Charleston Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201107070822

6) Honolulu Rail Website Slowly Picks Up Speed as Plan Proceeds

Link to article in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/20110708_HART_website_slowly_picks_up_speed_as_rail_plan_proceeds.html

Link to Honolulu Rail Transit site: http://honolulutransit.org/

7) Oklahoma DOT’s Centennial Celebration Costs Taxpayers More than $100,000

Expenses include commemorative book, documentary and brochures.
Link to story and video on KOTV-TV:

http://www.newson6.com/story/15045054/centennial-celebration

ROADWAYS

8) Converted Forestry App Finds ‘Sweet Spot’ for Highway Repairs

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2011/07/08/new-brunswick-forestry-app-highway-repairs.aspx

9) App Claims It Can Help You Hit All the Green Lights

Link to video on KOMO-TV:

http://www.komonews.com/home/video/125141859.html

Link to further information from Green Driver: http://imagreendriver.com/

10) Developing Smart Street Lights that Switch On as Cars Pass By

Link to blog in Technology Review:

http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/26972

SAFETY / SECURITY

11) US Inter-agency Maritime Operations Coordination Plan Inked

Link to UPI article:

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/07/07/Inter-agency-maritime-plan-inked/UPI-92421310073940/

Link to news release from the US Department of Homeland Security:

http://www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/20110707-maritime-operations-plan.shtm

12) US Department of Homeland Security, TSA Revive Aviation Security Panel

Link to article in Government Security News:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/node/23815?c=disaster_preparedness_emergency_response

13) Communicating with the Public During Emergencies

Link to Official FCC Blog:

http://www.fcc.gov/blog/communicating-public-during-emergencies

TRANSIT

14) Universal Transit Card Due for CTA, Metra, Pace

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-rta-farecard-20110708,0,4586380.story

15) OC Transpo Launches New Mobile Application

Link to CBC News story:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/07/08/ott-mobi-oc-transpo112.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Los Angeles Area Radio Stations Gearing Up to Cover Freeway Closure

Link to column in The Orange County Register:

http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/info-307375-radio-sunday.html

17) Can New York’s Highways be Fixed?

Link to commentaries in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2011/07/07/can-new-york-citys-highways-be-fixed

VEHICLES

18) Michigan International Speedway Chosen as Test Site for Anti-crash Vehicle Technology

Link to article in the Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/article/20110708/BUSINESS01/107080354/Michigan-International-Speedway-chosen-test-site-anti-crash-vehicle-technology

News Releases

1) Latest Edition of Opticom to the Rescue: First on the Scene from Global Traffic Technologies

Solicitation

–  Program Opportunity Notice – Advance Transportation Technologies – New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

http://www.nyserda.org/funding/funding.asp?i=1 (scroll down to PON 2271)

Upcoming Events

National Rural ITS Conference – August 28-31 – Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

http://www.nritsconference.org/

Friday Bonus

 

I can now check off this item from my bucket list; get picture on airplane.

http://goo.gl/2uPoL

Today in Transportation History  

 

1911 **100th anniversary** The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad opened a new station in West Barnstable, Massachusetts.

http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25385&Itemid=59

1961 **50th anniversary** The Portuguese ship, Save, ran aground, caught fire and exploded near Mozambique killing 259 people.

======================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

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Dominating of the Skies, Tweet by Tweet – Airlines and Twitter: An infographic

July 8, 2011 at 12:32 pm

(Source: via  Gadling.com)

Some interesting observations:

  • According to authors , Southwest drops to second place this month as industry giant Delta (21,000) mentions, leaps into first place. It’s interesting to note that this data is based on tweets and opinions in a category of interest, not number of followers.
  •  @SouthwestAir still wins that battle, with 1,142,579 followers vs. 206,201 for the main @Delta Twitter.

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“Sod the Bloody Work” – British Cop’s Response For A Hit And Run Driver Who Was In A Hurry To Get To Work

July 7, 2011 at 11:16 pm

(Source: Youtube Via Reddit)

The advent of dash cams in cops cars have brought to us many a horrible crimes as they happened on the roads. Here is one such occurrence where the police saw (and recorded) a woman hit a pedestrian. Then the chase starts and finishes with a nice & beautiful closing statement by the police officer!  It is amazing how the officers handled the situation (one gets off the chase to attend to the accident victim and the other gets off chasing the offending driver).  Just brilliant!  The best part of the video for me was this statement delivered by the cop: “Sod the Bloody Work”!  Well put, Officer! I couldn’t have said it any better.

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 7, 2011

July 7, 2011 at 5:44 pm

Thursday, July 7, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) Inhofe Introduces ‘Pilot’s Bill of Rights’

Bill calls for pilots facing enforcement action to be given air traffic communication recordings and simplification of Notice to Airmen system.

Link to article in the Tulsa World:

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=505&articleid=20110706_16_A11_CUTLIN890205

Link to news release from Senator James Inhofe:

http://inhofe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=018d2b10-e736-c509-be28-11227b914847

2) UK Airlines Poised to Back Government Plan to Sell Down Its Stake in National Air Traffic Services

Link to article in the Financial Times:

http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/24547714-a8cb-11e0-b877-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1RPqMwuQI

3) Obama Speech Revives Business Jet PR Battle

Link to article in Aviation Week:

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=busav&id=news/bav/2011/07/04/01.xml

4) Few Airlines Respond to Pilot Fatigue Study

Link to ABC News story:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/airlines-radio-silent-pilot-fatigue-study/story?id=14009295

5) ‘Throwing Airplanes Into the Air’ – Life Inside Airport Control Towers

Link to blog in The Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/middleseat/2011/07/07/throwing-airplanes-into-the-air-life-inside-airport-control-towers

 OTHER

6) New York State Police: Email Traffic Ticket is a Hoax, Contains Virus

Link to article in The Journal News:

http://www.lohud.com/article/20110707/NEWS03/107070378/State-police-Email-traffic-ticket-hoax-contains-virus

Link to news release from the New York State Police:

http://troopers.ny.gov/Public_Information/2011_News_Releases/07-06-11_Hoax_E-mail_Alert.cfm

ROADWAYS

7) Move to Standardize Road Signs in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Link to article in the Daily Mirror:

http://print.dailymirror.lk/business/127-local/49386.html

SAFETY / SECURITY

8) Safety Group Wants More Data on Cellphone Bans

Governors Highway Safety Association urges states to not enact new laws until more research is done.

Link to article in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-06-distracted-driving-cellphones-texting-ban-state-laws_n.htm

9) Cellphones, Devices Biggest Driving Distractions

Link to Reuters article:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/07/uk-cell-phones-devices-biggest-driving-d-idUSLNE76604720110707

Link to news release from the Governors Highway Safety Association:

http://www.ghsa.org/html/media/pressreleases/2011/20110707_sfdist.html

10) Honduran Mimes Turn Silent to Educate for Traffic Safety

Link to story and video from CNN:

http://www.todaysthv.com/news/watercooler/163887/70/Mimes-take-to-the-streets-of-Honduras

TELEMATICS

11) Fleet Telematics Leader Vnomics Making Its Mark in Multiple Spaces

Link to interview on TMCnet:

http://embedded-m2m-solutions.tmcnet.com/topics/embedded-m2m-solutions/articles/194310-fleet-telematics-leader-vnomics-making-its-mark-multiple.htm

TRANSIT

12) Paris Transport Plans to Put Travel Pass in Mobiles – Report

Link to article in Telecompaper:

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/paris-transport-plans-to-put-travel-pass-in-mobiles-report

Link to article in La Tribune:

http://www.latribune.fr/technos-medias/telecoms/20110705trib000634355/le-passe-navigo-bientot-sur-telephone-mobile-.html (in French)

13) Toronto Subway Naming Rights Up for Grabs as TTC Approves Ad Contract

Link to story and video on CityNews:

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/141205–subway-naming-rights-up-for-grabs-as-ttc-approves-advertising-contract

14) New Maps on New York City Subway Platforms Seek Clarity

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/07/new-maps-on-subway-platforms-seek-clarity/

15) NY Waterway Bus Locator Still Proving to be a Success with Ferry Commuters

Link to article in FerryTimes:

http://www.nywaterway.com/Newsletter.aspx?aid=18

Link to NY Waterway’s Real-Time GPS Bus Locator:

http://tds1.saucontech.com/tds-map/nywmenu.htm

VEHICLES

16) Electric, Hybrid Cars to be Required to Sound Pedestrian Alerts

Link to Bloomberg article:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-07/electric-hybrid-cars-to-be-required-to-sound-pedestrian-alerts.html

News Releases

1) DC Metro Customers Voice Strong Preference for Short, Distinctive Station Names

2) Government of Canada and Saint John Transit Launch New Vehicle-Tracking Technology

3) FDOT’s Florida 511 Launches New Traffic App

4) UCLA and KCET Air Public Service Special on ‘Carmageddon’

Upcoming Events

Using Regional ITS Architecture(s) – July 20 – Garden Grove, California

http://www.ntionline.com/courses/courseinfo.php?id=68

Today in Transportation History  

 

1941 **70th anniversary** US forces landed in Iceland to relieve British troops during World War II.

http://www.history.army.mil/books/70-7_03.htm

======================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 6, 2011

July 6, 2011 at 7:50 pm

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) MIT Algorithm Could Help Prevent Midair Collisions

Link to CNET blog:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20076904-1/mit-algorithm-could-help-prevent-midair-collisions/

Link to further information from MIT:

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2011/air-traffic-control-0705.html

2) Passenger Says Photo Led to Ouster from US Airways Flight

Link to article in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

http://www.philly.com/philly/business/125060558.html

OTHER

3) Apple Obtains US Trademark for ‘280’ Along with I-280 Shield for Map Icon

Link to blog on TechCrunch:

http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/06/apple-obtains-u-s-trademark-for-280-wait-what/

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

4) Bangalore Accident Videos Now on Facebook

Police post crashes to raise awareness.

Link to story and video on CNN-IBN:

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bangalore-accident-videos-now-on-facebook/165272-3.html

5) DC Influencer: Lloyd Brown, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials

Link to article in PR Week:

http://goo.gl/disBy

6) Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Videos Updated in Montana

Link to article in the Ravalli Republic:

http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_a97c5c4c-a6a8-11e0-94ad-001cc4c002e0.html

ROADWAYS

7) Highway Signs Growing Like Weeds?

Towns asking New Jersey DOT to prune roadside signs.

Link to article in the Asbury Park Press:

http://www.app.com/article/20110705/NJNEWS10/307050081/Highway-signs-growing-like-weeds-

8) National City, California Tests System that May Lower Response Times

Link to story and video on KGTV-TV:

http://www.10news.com/news/28444240/detail.html

9) Philippine Officials Remove ‘Witches Crossing’ Sign Following Outrage from Residents

Sign was designed to deter speeding at accident-prone location.

Link to article in Gulf News:

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/philippines/philippine-officials-take-down-witches-crossing-sign-following-outrage-from-residents-1.834064

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) QR Codes Aim to Curb Drunken Driving in Texas

Link to article in Government Technology:

http://www.govtech.com/health/QR-Codes-Curb-Drunken-Driving-Texas.html

11) Social Media Spreads Locations of Random Breath-Testing, Mobile Speed Cameras in Canberra Area

Link to article in The Canberra Times:

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/social-media-spreads-rbt-locations/2218455.aspx

TELEMATICS

12) A Sensing Probe in Every Car?

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2011/07/18/mobile-telematics-apps-side.aspx

13) National Weather Service Goes Trucking for Hard-to-Reach Data

Link to article in Government Computer News:

http://gcn.com/articles/2011/07/18/mobile-telematics-apps.aspx

14) Hyundai’s Blue Link Joins OnStar, Sync in Chatty-Car Drive

Link to article in Investor’s Business Daily:

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=577320

TRANSIT

15) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Again Considers Audio Ads on Its Buses

Link to article in The Boston Globe:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/07/06/mbta_again_considers_audio_ads_on_its_buses

16) Google Maps 5.7 for Android Gets Transit Navigation

Link to blog on CNET:

http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-20077252-12/google-maps-5.7-for-android-gets-transit-navigation/

Link to announcement and video from Google:

http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/07/google-maps-57-for-android-introduces.html

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

17) Sirius XM Radio to Launch ‘Carmageddon Radio’

Link to article on Satellite Radio Playground:

http://satelliteradioplayground.com/2011/07/06/sirius-xm-radio-nasdaqsiri-to-launch-carmageddon-radio/

VEHICLES

18) Connected Cars: Take One to Ease Congestion

Link to commentary on AutomotiveWorld.com:

http://www.automotiveworld.com/news/components/87960-connected-cars-take-one-to-ease-congestion

News Releases

1) Smart City Technologies Will Grow Fivefold to Exceed $39 Billion in 2016 – ABI Research

2) TripAdvisor Now Provides Travelers Access to European Train Travel Options

3) Mitsubishi Motors and Kids Safety First to Conduct Safety Seat Checks at Mitsubishi Dealerships

Upcoming Events

Southeastern Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (SASHTO) Annual Meeting – August 20-24 – Louisville, Kentucky

http://www.sashto.org/SASHTO2011

Today in Transportation History  

 

1936 **75th anniversary** The Bureau of Air Commerce took over three control centers in Chicago, Cleveland and Newark to begin the US government’s management of the air traffic system.

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Government_Role/FAA_History/POL8.htm

1936 **75th anniversary** A major breach of the Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal took place.  The breach was never repaired and marked the beginning of the end for the canal.

http://www.mbbcs.org.uk/

======================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

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Google Maps Feature, Transit Navigation (Beta), Lets You Know When To Get Off the Bus/Train (as long as you are not underground)

July 6, 2011 at 7:10 pm

(Source: Youtube via Jalopnik)

Google Maps 5.7  is now available with a deeper public transit navigation for users in nearly 400 cities around the globe. As shown in the above video, using your location along the route, the Transit Navigation feature on Google Maps will alert you when its time to get off at your destination or to make a transfer. Transit Navigation (Beta) requires a phone with Android 2.1+ (too bad, Apple users are missing out here) and the latest update of Google Maps for mobile. Oh, the only caveat is that the system works only for above-ground transit systems where the GPS signals can be reached.  And for those with plenty of time to spare, here is a hands-on review of the new feature, courtesy of Engadget. I can already surmise this is a god’s gift (or Google’s) for the international travelers.

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U.S. Surface Transportation Re-authorization Bill – Update as of July 6, 2011

July 6, 2011 at 6:26 pm

Update via ITS America

House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman John Mica, R-Fla., will introduce the committee’s multi-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal tomorrow — Thursday, July 7, at 11 a.m. Eastern time. According to Chairman Mica, the bill will not only reauthorize and reform the nation’s federal highway, transit and highway safety programs, but will also make significant improvements to passenger and freight rail programs and maritime transportation policy. “This fiscally responsible, multi-modal initiative would streamline federal programs, cut red tape, better leverage our federal resources, make wise investments in our infrastructure and create needed jobs for Americans,” according to the Chairman. The rollout event is scheduled to last approximately 90 minutes.  Live video of the event will also be available at www.transportation.house.gov by clicking the “Live Webcasts” link.

Streetsblog Capitol Hill reports that Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee, wants transportation reauthorization bill passed soon in order to avoid the loss of 600,000 jobs in the construction and transit industries. She issued a call to action this morning, pushing for a new bill before the current extension of SAFETEA-LU expires on September 30.   Though she had initially pushed for a six-year bill, Boxer made it official that the EPW proposal is for a two-year bill that will only cover current funding levels plus inflation—about $109 billion over the two years.

At today’s press conference, Boxer focused mostly on the urgency of saving 500,000 construction sector jobs and 100,000 transit jobs, citing new Federal Highway Administration stats about the ramifications if Congress passes Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget, with its 30 percent cuts to transportation. Boxer’s aides pulled out charts detailing just how many jobs would be lost in each state (See Chart here), and Boxer pointed to the over 43,000 that her home state of California would shed. Click here to read the rest on Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Note: And I found this interesting nugget on infrastructure spending on the EPW Press Release. It shows we have a long way to go to match the Chinese: According to a report by the Department of the Treasury and the Council of Economic Advisors, the United States currently spends 2 percent of GDP on infrastructure, a 50 percent decline from 1960. Meanwhile, China is spending close to 9 percent of their GDP on infrastructure.

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 5, 2011

July 5, 2011 at 7:26 pm

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

Bernie’s Notes

My primary goal for the TCN has been to be a consistent source of quality information about all aspects of communications in all modes of transportation.  By doing that, I hope that in some small way I contribute to the improvement of transportation communications by letting readers around the world know what their colleagues are doing, new technologies that are developed and other information that can advance the art and science of transport communications.  I hope I’ve been meeting your expectations.

 

I’d like to see what I can do to improve the TCN and the first step is to ask you for your suggestions.  Please email me at bernie@bwcommunications.net to let me know what you’d like to see in the TCN.  What’s missing?  What would you like to see eliminated?  Are there formatting changes you’d like to see?  Any and all suggestions are welcome.  I hope to do a survey soon, based in part on your comments.  Thanks for your continued support and feedback.

AVIATION

1) The Paperless Cockpit

Link to article in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/business/05pilots.html

2) FAA Pushes Back Paperwork Deadline for Block Aircraft Registration Request Program

Link to article in Flight International:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/07/04/359100/faa-pushes-back-barr-paperwork-deadline.html

3) Boeing Using ‘Brand Journalism’ to Turn Its Website Around

Link to article from Ragan.com:

http://www.airportbusiness.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=45879

4) Southwest Airlines and Social Media Strategy: Five Lessons for Marketers

Link to blog on Social Media Explorer:

http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/social-media-marketing/southwest-airlines-strategy

CAMERAS

5) High-Tech South African Cops to Target Traffic Offenders

Link to article on IOL News:

http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/hi-tech-cops-target-road-hogs-1.1093566

PUBLIC INFORMATION / EDUCATION

6) Political Party Joins Montreal Newspaper’s Efforts to Get Mercier Bridge Inspection Reports

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/joins+efforts+road+reports/5049706/story.html

RIDESHARING

7) Three Carpooling Apps to Cut Commuting Costs

Link to blog on CNET:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-20076860-48/three-carpooling-apps-to-cut-commuting-costs

ROADWAYS

8) Utah DOT Hopes Trailblazers Will Help Ease Commute

Link to story and video on KSL-TV:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=838&sid=13016848

9) South Chicago Suburbs Feel Like They’re on a Toll Road to Nowhere

Illinois Tollway policy bans blue hospitality signs promoting off-highway services.

Link to article in the Chicago Tribune:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-04/classified/ct-met-getting-around-0704-20110704_1_toll-road-choice-hotels-oases

SAFETY / SECURITY

10) Awareness of Potential of eSafety Systems on the Rise

Link to article from ERTICO:

http://www.ertico.com/fia-news-awareness-of-potential-of-esafety-systems-on-the-rise/

SPACE

11) First iPhone Flying on Last Shuttle Mission

Link to article from NASA:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/behindscenes/whatsgoingup135.html

Link to further information from Odyssey Space Research:

http://www.odysseysr.com/spacelab/index.html

TOURISM

12) Tourism New Zealand in Major Online Overhaul

Link to article on Tnooz:

http://www.tnooz.com/2011/07/05/news/tourism-new-zealand-in-major-online-overhaul

TRANSIT

13) Toronto Transit Commission Wants to Charge for Text Messages

Link to article in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/transportation/article/1017857–like-those-ttc-texts-prepare-to-pay

14) Caltrain to Use Cameras as Suicides Rise

Link to article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/04/BALG1K5JG2.DTL

15) Metro-North Considers Winter Strategy

Improved customer communications and quicker decisions on service cuts are two priorities for next winter.

Link to article in The Advocate:

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Plowing-ahead-Metro-North-considers-winter-1451127.php

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

16) Roadwork Info Freer in Ontario than Quebec

Web simplicity; tight-lipped Quebec makes it tough.

Link to article in The Gazette:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Roadwork+info+freer+Ontario/5049704/story.html

17) Phone Data to Give a Picture of Traffic Shutdown in Los Angeles

Link to blog in The New York Times:

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/phone-data-to-give-a-picture-of-traffic-disaster-in-l-a/

Link to news release from Waze and KABC-TV:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/7/prweb8620621.htm

VEHICLES

18) The Open-Source Car

Link to blog on ZDNet:

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/the-open-source-car/9193?tag=mantle_skin;content

News Releases

1) CITE Offers Free Certificate Programs to New Students in July 2011

2) Washington State Technology Company Sues Ford Motor Company for Patent Infringement

Upcoming Events

Talking Freight Seminar: Engaging the Private Sector – July 20

http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/news/news_detail.asp?ID=741

Today in Transportation History  

 

1961 **50th anniversary** Israel launched its first rocket, Shavit 2.

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/features/this-week-in-haaretz-1961-israel-launches-a-rocket-into-space-1.300683

=====================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast Communications, LLC www.bwcommunications.net

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Bernie’s Transportation Communications Newsletter (TCN) – July 4, 2011

July 5, 2011 at 7:16 pm

Monday, July 4, 2011 – ISSN 1529-1057

AVIATION

1) New Air Traffic Control System at Crossroads

Link to AP article:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iUQ2FxxC4lL6xlLlnTpUoYWhY87A?docId=447e31f1c14e4d2ab89dc382b692b96b

2) New Guidance System for Skies Could Face Delays

Link to article and video in The Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/antidote-to-air-gridlock-is-complex-undertaking/2011/06/30/AG9bdnwH_story.html

CAMERAS

3) Distance Speed Cameras Locked-In In Australian Capital Territory

Link to article in The Canberra Times:

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/distance-speed-cameras-locked-in/2214626.aspx

4) Costa Rican Traffic Cameras to Do More than Check Speeding Vehicles

Link to article on InsideCostaRica:

http://www.insidecostarica.com/dailynews/2011/july/04/costarica11070403.htm

OTHER

5) Israeli Government Committee to End Wildcat Spelling of Place Names

New policy designed to ‘make it easier to read maps and signs.’

Link to article in The Jerusalem Post:

http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=227702

6) Mumbaikars ‘Dislike’ Traffic Cops’ Facebook Page

Link to story on NDTV:

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/mumbaikars-dislike-traffic-cops-facebook-page-116584

7) Florida’s Learner-Permit Driving Exam Returns Online, Raising Questions About Cheating

Link to article in The Palm Beach Post:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/floridas-learner-permit-driving-exam-returns-online-raising-1579687.html

8) Intelligent Transport Systems in Action

Action plan and legal framework for the deployment of ITS in Europe.

Link to publication from the EU:

http://bookshop.europa.eu/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/EU-Bookshop-Site/en_GB/-/EUR/ViewPublication-Start?PublicationKey=MI3210588

ROADWAYS

9) New Minnesota-Wisconsin Bridge Could Attract Overweight Rigs, but New Technology Could Snag Violators

Link to article in the Star Tribune:

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/124920834.html

10) Sri Lanka Signboards, Street Names – Being Visible Silently

Link to article in The Sunday Times:

http://www.sundaytimes.lk/110703/BusinessTimes/bt28.html

11) Surprise, Arizona Produces Video About Their Intelligent Transportation System

Link to video:

http://youtu.be/B1-kE9Q6Cvc

TELEMATICS

12) OnStar Paying Special Attention to China with Mobile App Launch

Link to article on Torque News:

http://www.torquenews.com/119/onstar-paying-special-attention-china-mobile-app-launch

TRANSIT

13) E-Ticketing Planned for Swiss Transport

Link to article on The Local:

http://www.thelocal.ch/national/20110704_441.html

14) Bus Rapid Transit Eyed as Speedy Solution for US 36 in Colorado

Link to article in the Boulder Daily Camera:

http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_18398995

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

15) New Message Signs, Cameras Coming to Kentucky Highways

Link to AP article:

http://www.fox19.com/story/15021359/new-message-signs-cameras-coming-to-ky-highways

VEHICLES

16) An Executive Viewpoint: Scott J. McCormick, President, Connected Vehicle Trade Association

Link to interview on TheWhereBusiness.com:

http://social.thewherebusiness.com/content/executive-viewpoint-scott-j-mccormick-president-connected-vehicle-trade-association

17) Connected Cars: Not Just Science Fiction Anymore

Link to article in PCWorld:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/234846/connected_cars_not_just_science_fiction_anymore.html

News Releases

1) innovITS Advance: Connecting Vehicles, Highways and Telecommunications

Upcoming Events

Webinar: Fundamentals of Machine Vision – Smart Cameras – July 12

http://video.webcasts.com/events/pmny001/viewer/index.jsp?eventid=38968&adid=em1

Today in Transportation History  

 

1961 **50th anniversary** Soviet nuclear submarine K-19 developed a leak in its reactor coolant system resulting in the death of a number aboard the sub.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/k19/index.html

1981 **30th anniversary** Joy McGrath and Bernie Wagenblast were married in Westfield, New Jersey.

http://goo.gl/Gnb8D

======================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday.

To subscribe (for free) or unsubscribe, please contact me at bernie@bwcommunications.net.

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Become a TCN fan on Facebook!

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast atbernie@bwcommunications.net.

© 2011 Bernie Wagenblast  www.bwcommunications.net

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U.S. Surface Transportation Re-authorization Bill – Update as of June 29, 2011

June 30, 2011 at 4:55 pm

Update Courtesy: ITS America

As the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee continues to work on finalizing its six-year surface transportation reauthorization bill in anticipation of an early July introduction, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has announced plans to introduce the Senate version of the bill during the week of July 11, hold hearings the week of July 18, and is expected to proceed with a Committee mark-up on July 27.  The Senate bill, which is rumored to be a two-year bill instead of six, is expected to face a $12 billion funding shortfall which would require the Senate Finance Committee to come up with additional revenues before the legislation could be passed.  Committee staff continues to craft the bill in a bipartisan fashion with their most recent work focusing on a freight section.  ITS America is working closely with Senate staff to include provisions that would promote greater deployment of ITS.

On the House side, T&I Committee majority staff continues to work on their bill but have provided limited details as to what specific policies and programs will be included.  Speculation continues about the time frame for moving a surface transportation bill through the House, with Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA/7) taking heat for not including the reauthorization bill in a June 10 memo to House Republicans outlining key pieces of legislation that will be debated on the House floor this summer.  The American Road & Transportation Builders Association obtained the memo and has posted the document on its website here.

Meanwhile Congressman Richard Hanna (R-NY/24), Vice-Chair of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, joined ITS America’s Congressional Roundtable members for breakfast to discuss ITS and the transportation reauthorization bill.  As a businessman who spent nearly three decades in the construction industry before being elected to Congress, Rep. Hanna stressed the need for technology solutions that can help public agencies do ‘more with less’.  The Congressman made note of Portland, Oregon as an example of a city that is investing in ITS to help create a more efficient, user-friendly transportation network, while acknowledging the pressure many agencies face to roll out more visible ‘bricks and mortar’ projects.  He also said the “argument is building daily” for investing in transportation as a means to create jobs and bring down the nation’s high unemployment rate.  Read more about the Congressional Roundtable in the AASHTO Journal.

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